Built-in Smart Card for Multi-Factor Authentication


GoldKey may be deployed as a Smart Card authentication token, with at least two factors of authentication required. The GoldKey token must be present, and you must know your GoldKey PIN. This provides a much higher level of security over traditional password-only authentication methods. Upon request, GoldKey also supports biometric fingerprint authentication as a third factor.

To connect a smart card to a computer, it is necessary to have a smart card reader that will connect to a USB port. With GoldKey, the smart card is already included, and since it is a USB device, the reader is not necessary.

The GoldKey internal smart card utilizes the PIV (Personal Identity Verification) specification developed by NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology). PIV is widely deployed in government and is now supported by Mac OS X and Windows 7.

While it is necessary to use the GoldKey provided software to initialize the smart card function of the token, thereafter, it is possible to use the GoldKey internal smart card on Windows 7 computers without installing any software or drivers. This feature is important in secure applications where it is not possible to install outside software on a computer.

GoldKey vs Traditional Smart Card

Improved Performance – GoldKeys run noticeably faster during log-in and data signing than traditional smart cards. Convenient – GoldKey is one of the smallest security tokens on the market and can easily fit on a key chain. GoldKey also eliminates the need for an external smart card reader, making it ultimately flexible and convenient. Durable – From its stainless steel case to its waterproof epoxy, GoldKey is more durable than your everyday USB token. Inside, the GoldKey is filled with an industrial grade epoxy that not only seals the internal circuitry water tight, but deters tampering and provides added strength.  Extended Life – GoldKey does not require a battery for power, it instead draws power from the USB port. This means it can last and last in the field. Using GoldKey's Built-in Smart Card

	Secure Drives – GoldKey allow users to create a secure drive on any computer using powerful 256-bit AES encryption. The user can store their private files inside the Secure Drive. To be able to unlock or open a Secure Drive, the correct GoldKey must be present and the correct password must be entered, making the documents inside inaccessible without the GoldKey.
	Protect Email – GoldKey allows you to send emails with fully encrypted attachments. With a simple right click, you can encrypt a file or folder with GoldKey.
	Active Directory – GoldKey tokens provide an excellent way to add multi-factor authentication to an Active Directory deployment and can be issued login and email certificates from an AD certificate authority like smart cards.
	Smart Card – Each GoldKey has a Smart Card built-in, making it useful for PKI security applications. The GoldKey internal Smart Card utilizes the PIV (Personal Identity Verification) specification, which is widely deployed in government and is now supported by Mac OS X and Windows 7.